Central Coast

The Central Coast AVA stretches roughly 250 miles along the coastline of California, from San Francisco County in the north to Santa Barbara County in the south, averaging about 25 miles wide. The combination of sunlight exposure, cool temperatures, and exemplary soils provide for legendary Pinot Noir that is rich, round and supple.

Further up the coast is WALT’s Clos Pepe estate vineyard. Chris and Melissa visit with owner Stephen Pepe and learn about the characteristics that make the Sta. Rita Hills such a unique region for Pinot.

Clos Pepe Estate Vineyard

Located in the Central Coast appellation and the sub-appellation of Sta. Rita Hills, Clos Pepe Vineyard is one of WALT's Estate Vineyards. Winegrowers Stephen and Cathy Pepe own a truly exceptional piece of land. This amazing site combined with careful viticulture provides fruit that absolutely expresses the personality of the vineyard. With very limiting soils and a strict adherence to natural winegrowing, the Clos Pepe vineyard optimizes the complexity and nuance of Pinot Noir. There are three clones coming from different areas of the vineyard; Dijon 115 from a lower-vigor section, Pommard from gravely slopes and the 667 clone coming from slopes made up of sedimentary or seabed soils.

Rita’s Crown Vineyard

Rita’s Crown vineyard has an enthralling, multifaceted personality and this wine delivers its compelling narrative. Nestled high atop a hillside with chalky, sandy loam soils, the vines struggle to thrive. The WALT Rita’s Crown Sta. Rita Hills Pinot Noir is a mesmerizing effort. The wine is lavishly fragrant and there is a power, grace and opulence that courses through its palate. The manifestation of the vine’s parenting soils is displayed in the mineral-rich, chalky aromas and flavors. Strikingly opulent in style, the wine boasts immeasurable layers of plum, rose petal and cherry.

Sierra Mar Vineyard

The Sierra Mar vineyard is owned by Gary and Rosella Franscioni, famed pioneers of this appellation with roots going back four generations. Translated in English as “Mountain Sea,” this vineyard represents extreme mountain coastal terrior. This is an incredible high-altitude vineyard site with decomposed granite and gravelly loam soils that reflects some of the best of the Santa Lucia Highlands. The vineyard produces ripe, lush, unctuous fruit that is balanced by the site's natural acidity. Sierra Mar Vineyard is one of the region's highest and most extreme vineyard sites along 5 terraced slopes.

Rosella's Vineyard

Named for Gary Franscioni’s wife, Rosella’s was planted in 1996 and was the first in their portfolio. Rosella’s vineyard is characterized by its maritime climate with strong coastal winds coming off of the Monterey Bay. Foggy mornings and sunny, breezy afternoons keep the site cool and ideal for Pinot Noir. We work with Pisoni, 777, 667, and 828 clones at this site which bring complexity and nuance to the finished wine.